Childproofing for Your Toddler's Safety New Canaan CT

Granny syndrome-the pattern of accidental ingestion of a grandparents' medication-appears to be mainly the result of failure in patient education, which is a correctable condition. Patients need to be aware that access, not choice of container, has the most impact on prevention. Unattended purses or counters and low shelves allow for easy access to potentially deadly items for children.

Childproofing for Your Toddler's Safety

Chicago, IL)- A natural curiosity and the desire to mimic behavior by adult family members can prompt small children to sample medications found around the home. Often adults forget that children are natural explorers who are able to move quickly and will generally put anything they get their hands on in their mouths.

A child's grandparents, often among the most loving adults in a child's life, can be the most common source of these dangerous medications. "Grandparents' medications account for 10- 20 percent of unintentional pediatric intoxications in the United States," said Robin McFee, D.O., an osteopathic physician and lead researcher in a recent study of pediatric pharmaceutical exposures, which ran in The JAOA- The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. "It is quite common for older adults to take several medications and carry them around in handbags or store them on counters and easy to reach locations. Unfortunately, children's curious nature leads them to explore what is in these containers."

In one case a 3-year-old boy was brought into the emergency room by his mother and grandmother after he ingested an unknown quantity and assortment of medications. The grandmother had placed her purse on the sofa for a moment and when she returned she discovered the boy had opened her purse and was playing with her pills. When he saw her he said, "M&M's, Nana," referring to the popular candy. At the hospital the grandmother told doctors that she keeps several days worth of pills in a sandwich bag because it is easier for her to open. Fortunately, the doctors were able to determine what pills the child ingested and he recovered quickly.

Granny syndrome-the pattern of accidental ingestion of a grandparents' medication-appears to be mainly the result of failure in patient education, which is a correctable condition. Patients need to be aware that access, not choice of container, has the most impact on prevention. Unattended purses or counters and low shelves allow for easy access to potentially deadly items for children.

Dr. McFee recommends taking these precautions:

1. Child-proof the houses of elderly relatives if they will be caring for children.

There are parents, siblings, teachers, and friends. There are also characters who are dealing with the same situations they are. In this way, stories help children know they are not alone in their problems. They also let them see someone else handle the issue. Once exposed to how a storybook character masters a difficult situation, children are often inspired to tackle their own problems.